The action-comedy fails to break Akki’s previous records, ensures a modest collection at the box office

Akshay Kumar has had a lucky streak of sorts at the box office recently. His Rowdy Rathore and OMG! Oh My God raked in big moolah. And if folks were eager that his latest flick Khiladi 786 will do similar business, they may be a tad disappointed. Akki’s movie has managed an average weekend collection at the box office. The film made Rs 10 crores on its opening day on Friday, and Rs 11 crores and Rs 12.5 crores on Saturday and Sunday respectively, bringing the total to Rs 33.5 crores in the domestic market.

Though the movie was allotted 2,786 screens across the country, it managed to draw in 90 per cent occupancy levels in single screens and only 60 per cent in multiplexes. The makers were hoping that the film would touch the Rs 50 crore mark in the opening weekend, but it has clearly fallen short of expectations. It hasn’t been able to take on even Talaash, which was released in far fewer screens, yet had a Rs 47 crores opening weekend.

Made reportedly on a budget of Rs 45 crores, a Rs 33.5 crores opening weekend will definitely dampen Akki’s mood. Yet it does have two weeks in hand to make all the money it can before Salman Khan’s Dabangg 2 comes in to make a hole into the Khiladi’s collections. So all the best, Akki!

This typical masala entertainer is a no-brainer, but it doesn’t fail to tickle your funny bone

Apna desi action hero – Khiladi aka Akshay Kumar returns to relive his avatar after 12 years (his last Khiladi film being Khiladi420). Khiladi786 opens with Akshay battling with goons, of course successfully, which calls for a celebration in the form of the title track – Khiladi bhaiya, similar to how Chulbul Pandey aka Salman Khan did in Dabangg. Before the song starts, Akshay intentionally looks into the camera and tells his audience – Khiladi is back! Thankfully, he didn’t say ‘and how!’

As you enter the theatre to watch Akki’s larger-than-life Khiladi act, a set of preconceived notions instantly run through your mind. After all, with the constant hammering of Himesh Reshammiya’s compositions and dialogue promos, what else can one expect? Considering the movies that Akshay has been associated with in the recent past, it’s now given that his future projects will mostly turn out to be showy, surreal and unbelievably unrealistic. But then you still anticipate a generous dose of drama and oodles of entertainment from the debonair actor. We guess that’s the Khiladi actor’s magic!

The story goes like this: Born to an owner of a marriage bureau Champak Lal (Manoj Joshi), Mansukh bhai (Himesh Reshammiya) has been a complete failure ever since he has grown up and tried to help his father in their family business. All the alliances Mansukh tries to get done have resulted in separation even before marriage. To prove his worth, Mansukh takes up the unusual challenge of getting an underworld don Tatya Tukaram Tendukar aka TTT bhai’s (Mithun Chakraborty) spoilt brat sister Indu (Asin Thottumkal) married to a cop called Bahattar Singh – 72 (Akshay Kumar) in Punjab. To add to his problems, Mansukh convinces TTT to pretend that he is a cop, but little does he know that Bahattar Singh, his father Sattar Singh – 70 (Raj Babbar) and his uncle – 71 Ikhattar Singh (Mukesh Rishi) are not cops, but a family of con-men. You wonder what about Teehattar – the Hindi equivalent of 73? The mystery unfolds in the climax. The story takes shape as the two families from two different states pretend to be policemen, and the beans from each side ready to be spilled anytime, which can be life threatening for Mansukh.

What makes Khiladi 786 a one-time watch is the pace at which events unfold, leaving less time for the audiences to tally the flaws. Add to this, some much-needed tadka of larger-than-life action sequences coupled with inherently nonsense humour and funny one-liners, and the movie holds your attention, even if it does so in parts.

Debutant director Ashish R Mohan who seems to be hugely inspired by his mentor Rohit Shetty shows promise, as people and cars fly quite convincingly in this film. He shows off his comedy streak to some extent but for a film titled Khiladi, it lacks hard-core raw action, what people usually expect from Akshay Kumar films. Himesh’s music works big time for a relatively weak plot.

Akshay Kumar as Bahattar Singh suits the part, but he doesn’t bring out anything new. It’s the same Akki, boisterous, loud and hammy that he has been in his last few misfired comedies. Asin is good. But believe us, the surprise package is none other than Himesh Reshammiya himself, who has showed tremendous growth as an actor, and managed to bring in the maximum laughs through his caricaturish Mansukh bhai act, as he keep on saying – “Mere papa kehte hain ki shaadi-byaah ke maamle mein, aatein mein namak jitna jhoot chalta hai!” Mithun as TTT impresses with his straight-faced witty one-liners like “Dokyachi aai behen karu nako or Mulgi shikli, pragati zaali“. The track of Asin’s jailed lover (Rahul Singh) has no relevance to the plot, while Raj Babbar and Sanjay Mishra are in their elements. The veteran Johnny Lever is wasted. You’ll be stunned once the secrecy of number 73 is revealed.

Overall, the film caters to the masala loving audience. Akshay himself admitted recently that Khiladi786 is a masala film. Watch it for the comical sketches of its characters, Rohit Shetty style of stunts, Himesh’s groovy music, and most importantly for its genuine intention to entertain!

We trace the Khiladi Kumar’s journey and pinpoint what worked and what didn’t in the ‘Khiladi’ franchise

When Akshay Kumar first starred in Khiladi in 1992, the title stuck. And post that the actor made a ‘Khiladi’ movie almost every consecutive year, for a decade. But while the initial movies like Khiladi (1991), Main Khiladi Tu Anari (1994) and Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi (1996) worked well at the box office, others were dismal flops. So what really worked, and what didn’t? And considering the track record, what’s in store as far as Akhay’s latest ‘Khiladi’ movie is concerned? Take a look to find out!

The dashing actor will talk his heart out to the Pakistani media about his next production, which also stars Asin, Paresh Rawal and Himesh Reshammiya

With every film, Akshay Kumar seems to be learning some new marketing tricks. For his next home production Khiladi 786, which also stars Asin Thottumkal, Paresh Rawal and Himesh Reshammiya, the actor will be interacting with members of the Paksitani media. Reason? The number 786 is considered holy by the Muslims.

A member of the actor’s marketing team explains. “We’ve organised a live video press conference where Akshay will interact with the Pakistan media from Mumbai. Since he is busy shooting for back-to-back films, he was unable to travel to Pakistan. Akshay feels that if he can help make the situation better between the two warring countries in any way, he will be game for it.” Amen!

Garish Akshay and hot Asin try too hard to please the audience in this ordinary party song

Looks like Himesh Reshammiya is desperate for attention more than ever before. But the ‘capped’ singer is just not interested in creating something refreshingly different and original. Just when we said that the Saari saari song from Akshay Kumar-Asin Thottumkal’s upcoming film Khiladi 786 could be the saving grace of the entire album, Himesss bhai has disappointed us yet again with another thumb-downer Hookah Bar!

Much like the other songs, Hookah bar too fails to offer something worth listening to with Akshay breaking into a mindless jig. Though Asin looks smoking hot and captures our attention with her groovy moves, the song’s composition and its terrible choreography turned us off completely. Himesh is trying to sound quite celebratory in this party number, but he doesn’t quite strike a chord.

All in all, despite some pulsating beats and colourful presentation, Hookah bar just fails to hold your attention either visually or musically. Now, you watch the song and tell us what do you think, BollywoodLifers!

The macho star romances Asin Thottumkal in his forthcoming action film Khiladi 786

Akshay Kumar fans will be treated to full-on action drama real soon. Kumar is gearing up for his next release Khiladi 786. Directed by Ashish R Mohan, this movie will have Asin Thottumkal playing the love interest to the macho Akki. We caught the two romancing in a picturesque grassland while shooting the Saari saari… number from the film. After watching the on-screen lovebirds lip-syncing the Himesh Reshammiya number, we immediately got down to our usual funny business of translating the romantic song into English. The result of our attempt was as dreadful as the nasal tone of the ‘capped’ singer!

Unlike the Lonely song from the same film, Saari saari raat is melodious and extremely hummable

It is an indisputable fact that Himesh Reshammiya has a huge fan following and with this new romantic number called Saari saari raat from Khiladi 786 – starring Akshay Kumar and Asin in the lead – the popular singer-composer is all set to make it to the chartbuster list once more. Though there’s very little that is new or surprising in terms of its composition or lyrics, the song has the unmistakable signature Reshammiya touch.

Featuring Akshay Kumar and Asin, who are seen romancing in a picturesque grassland, Saari saari… is visually soothing and highly romantic. Himesh’s nasal tone and the fine composition makes this song hummable. Going by the trailer of the film, it is amply clear that Khiladi 786 is an action comedy with Akki at the helm of the entertaining affair.

We know that Akshay is a crowd puller. He tasted incredible success with Prabhu Deva’s Rowdy Rathore last year and his last release OMG! Oh My God did very well at the box office. And now we hope that the macho actor gives us something new in terms of his comic timing and action in this Ashish R Mohan production.

We could not find a better word than ‘pathetic’ to describe the annoying Himesh Reshammiya number starring Akshay Kumar and Asin

Our curiosity about what Akshay Kumar will be seen doing in his upcoming filmKhiladi 786is simply butchered by what this song presented –both visually and musically. Sung and composed by Himesh Reshammiya and penned haphazardly by Shabir Ahmed, this number is plain disgraceful. Akshay Kumar and Asin are seen shaking their collective booty desperately to make this number look funny. Going by the tormenting presentation, it seems that Akki is still in Joker mode and has not pulled himself out of the loony character he portrayed in Shirish Kunder’s disastrous alien saga.

Now you watch this song (though we suggest you don’t subject yourself to the sheer suffering) and tell us what torments you most – the music, the choreography or Himessss bhai’s (in)famous nasal voice.

Equipped with Salman Khan’s item number and with Akshay Kumar’s forthcoming release Khiladi 786’s promo attached to it, Ajay Devgn’s Son Of Sardaar has two bankable superstars stars on its side. Is this Devgn’s strategic move to compete with Shahrukh Khan’s Jab Tak Hai Jaan?

We have already seen Salman Khan shaking a leg to the tune of Po po in Ajay Devgn’s upcoming release Son Of Sardaar. And now Akshay has jumped on the collaboration bandwagon. Ajay has even decided to end his cold war with Akshay Kumar – if you remember, Akki and Ajay have not exactly been best buddies in B-town. The two did not really bond well when they were cast in the 1994 film Suhaag. And in spite of working in two more films – Insan and Khakee – much later in their careers, the two stars did not quite share a great camaraderie.

But a little birdie told us that Akshay graciously agreed to give the title of his film – Son Of Sardaar – to Ajay’s movie, as he thought it was better suited to Devgn’s project. The Bol Bachchan actor was touched by Akki’s friendly gesture and has now decided to show the promo of Akshay’s new action film Khiladi 786 with his Son Of Sardaar. And if that wasn’t enough, Ajay will also showcase the trailer of Salman Khan’s Dabangg 2 with SOS. Clearly, Devgn has two of the biggest box office draws on his side.

Interestingly, Shahrukh Khan, who is known for his rivalry with Salman, Ajay and Akshay, is also excited about his new movie Jab Tak Hai Jaan. His film will hit the screens in November too. Is the trio – Sallu, Akki and Ajay – all set to give SRK a run for his money? We wonder!

The Rockstar actor seems to be irked by the constant focus on her mouth rather than her personality or acting skills

Though Imtiaz Ali’s Rockstar showcased the fine actor within Ranbir Kapoor, it only managed to bring the spotlight on to leading lady Nargis Fakhri’s lips, not her personality or her acting. Each time the film was mentioned, Nargis’ lips were too. She tried to shift the focus off her pretty mouth by getting ‘friendly’ with her Rockstar co-star, and later on with Shahid Kapoor. But none of that worked for her and all that she was left with was her (un)lucky lips.

We heard that after a lot of running around in the power corridors of B-town, she finally bagged Akshay Kumar’s Khiladi 786, but unfortunately for Nargis, that didn’t work out either. In a recent interview she said, “Saying that my sex appeal lies in my lips is hilarious. There is more to me than just a physical attribute.” Darling, you should be thankful that people still remember something about you and that your wooden expressions in Rockstar have been overlooked thanks to your sexy pout. In the meantime, how about you impress us with an act that doesn’t involve just your luscious lips! Game for that, Nargis?